"Six Nations Polytechnic continues to show outstanding leadership and commitment to quality education through the STEAM Academy," Philpott said at the end of a tour at the Elgin Street campus.

"This innovative program not only prepares students for successful futures in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics, but also grounds their learning in Indigenous culture and language."

The academy, launched last September, is the first school in Canada to offer students a high school diploma and a college diploma, concurrently. The program gives students access to tools ranging from advanced virtual reality, to thousands of years of Indigenous knowledge, to the shared care and experience of a team of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous educators.

Students begin taking college courses as early as Grade 10 and finish the program in five to six years with both a secondary school diploma and a two-year Ontario College Technician Diploma.

In 2017, Indigenous Services Canada provided $197,000 in start-up funding for the STEAM, which stands for science, technology, engineering, arts and math, pilot program, as well as up to $1.14 million to cover tuition, which is provided at no cost to students.

The program was announced last spring and renovations were completed in time for the first 34 Indigenous and non-Indigenous students in September.

After a tour of high-tech labs and classrooms, Philpott addressed students. She was joined by Rebecca Jamieson, the school's president and CEO, academy principal Aaron Hobbs and Six Nations elected Chief Ava Hill.

"This is where technology meets with thousands of years of Indigenous knowledge," said Philpott.

"The approach is nothing short of revolutionary. This is truly the first school of its kind in Canada."

The minister noted that business leaders are taking an interest in the STEAM Academy.

"I have no doubt that you will be in very high demand," she told the students.

"You are going to have 'new collar jobs' and the places that don't exist yet are the places where you will be working."

Philpott said that the STEAM Academy represents Ottawa's commitment to reconciliation with First Nations by seeking to close the gap in education between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

"We know Indigenous people have not had the same services," she said.

"There is so much to be done across the country to fill the gaps in education for First Nations. Innovation will be the key."

Hobbs noted that part of the program focuses directly on reconciliation.

"Being open to Indigenous and non-Indigenous students allows for intercultural sharing to take place while we work to educate all of our students about Haudenosaunee traditions from a completely Indigenous perspective."

Jamieson said that the school and the STEAM Academy have created opportunities for Indigenous students that didn't exist when she was young. They are dedicated to "opening doors that my generation couldn't have imagined," she said.

"Six Nations Polytechnic is at the forefront of a paradigm shift in education due partly to the innovative and revolutionary way Indigenous knowledge and thought is embedded within the organization," said Jamieson.

"Thinking seven generations ahead allows us to envision a world where education means integration, and so we decided to change the current model to improve the quality of learning for our students and it's worked out quite well so far.